Witnesses aid driver after TriMet bus crashes

BEAVERTON, Ore. - Passersby jumped into action after seeing a runaway TriMet bus in Beaverton Sunday, climbing aboard and administering CPR on the driver, who was unconscious after suffering a medical emergency, authorities said.

The driver, later identified as David Moon, was taken to Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, which was just a few feet from where the bus finally came to rest. On Monday, Moon's wife sent KATU an email saying he was in critical condition. He is 57 years old.

According to Beaverton police Officer Jessica Hull, it all started when the TriMet bus was seen slowly crossing three lanes of traffic on Southwest Barnes Road near Southwest Baltic Avenue about 12:15 p.m. with the driver slumped over inside.

No passengers were riding the bus at the time, which jumped a curb, ran up a sidewalk and then climbed up a dirt hill before coming to rest on a large rock just feet from the hospital's day care center.

Several drivers who witnessed the slow-speed crashed stopped their cars and got out to assist.

Several people then tried to get inside the bus as it was slowly moving but were only able to climb aboard after a retired TriMet bus operator who happened to be in the area got the door open, Hull said.

Doreen Cannon, a Realtor, was on her way to show a home when she came upon the scene. She got out and started performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Moon, who was not breathing, she said.

At some point, a doctor from the nearby hospital was also called over to the scene and joined her in the effort to keep Moon alive, Cannon said.

After paramedics arrived, Moon was taken to the hospital next to the crash site, she said. Doctors said he suffered a massive heart attack.

"It was very scary," Cannon said. "You never know if the person is going to live or die, and that's the hardest part. But at least you give them a chance."

"I'm just worried about the man," Cannon said. "And I just keep seeing his face, and I hope he lives."

No one else was injured during the incident, Officer Hull said. She added that several people could have been hurt if the bus had overturned after it stopped in a precarious position.

Moon had just begun driving the route that passed next to the hospital, according to his wife. Previously, his route was several miles away from the hospital.